教牧守則·對話錄與書信 第 254 章

Gregory to John the abbot. Your Charity has requested that brother Boniface should be ordained by you as provost in your monastery; at which I greatly wondered why it was not done before. For from the time when I caused him to be given to you, you ought already to have ordained him. As for the tunic of Saint John, I received it altogether gladly, because you were careful to inform me. But let your Charity be zealous to send to me the tunic itself, or, what is better, the same bishop who has it, together with his clergy and with it, so that we may both fully enjoy the blessing of the tunic, and be able to have reward from the same bishop and clergy. But the case which is being contested with Florianus I wished to settle, and I have already given him eighty solidi as a loan.

These, I believe, he arranges to have repaid to himself for the monastery's debt, and I altogether wish that same case to be decided, because Stephen the chartulary is said to be pressing that the aforesaid Florianus should transfer it into the public court, and it is grievous for us to litigate with the public authority. Hence it is necessary for us to yield something, that we may be able to bring the same case to a settlement. And when this has been done, we shall, with God's help, announce it to your Charity. But concerning the brethren, be altogether solicitous. Let it now suffice that the reputation of the monastery has been sullied through your negligence. Do not frequently go outside. In these matters appoint a procurator, and you yourself be free for reading and prayer. Be solicitous for hospitality;

give to the poor as much as you can, yet in such a way that you preserve what ought to be restored to Florianus. But among those very brethren of your monastery whom I see, I do not find them to be free for reading. Hence it is necessary to consider what a sin it is that God has sent you sustenance out of another's offering, and yet you neglect to learn God's commandments. But concerning the six ounces of the house, if we do not see the authentic charter or the copies, we can do nothing. But I have sent an order to Florentinus, God's servant, that if the truth be established for him, he should restore those same six ounces to you. When they are restored, we shall either give the remaining six ounces in emphyteusis, or exchange them for revenue.